Join AFI Silver Theatre and the Freer and Sackler Galleries as we celebrate the creative energy of one of the world's cinematic hotbeds. The second edition of this popular festival includes innovative and challenging films by several emerging writer/directors, working new twists on the genre conventions of horror, war and martial arts pictures, as well as a very special appearance by two of Korean cinema's most legendary figures. The festival was organized by Tom Vick, film programmer for the Freer and Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution, and Hyunjun Min of the University of Maryland. Korean Film festival DC 2005 is made possible by the Korean Film Council; the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Seoul; and the Korean Cultural Service, Washington, DC.

All films are in 35mm and in Korean with English subtitles unless otherwise indicated. For complete program information, please visit www.asia.si.edu.

AFI Member Passes will be accepted at all screenings in the Korean Film Festival.

Director Shin Sang-ok and Actress Choi Eun-hee in person with
SAM RYONG THE MUTE

The hero of this film is a deaf-mute who makes a modest living as a farmhand. When he falls in love with his master's daughter-in-law, he must confront the rigid rules of traditional Korean feudal society and the prejudices of his employers to win her hand.

DIR/PROD Shin Sang-ok; SCR Na Do-hyang. 1964, b&w, 84 min. UNRATED

In the 1950s and '60s, director Shin Sang-ok and his wife, Choi Eun-hee, reigned over the golden age of Korean cinema. They are best known today for having been kidnapped and forced to work for North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il for several years. Shin's technically sophisticated, emotionally charged films-- many of which starred Choi--are still revered today. We are honored to welcome them to AFI Silver. Shin and Choi will also appear at the Freer Friday, October 14, with WOMEN OF THE YI DYNASTY (1969), and Sunday, October 16, with THE HOUSEGUEST AND MY MOTHER (1961). Travel and accommodations for Shin Sang-ok and Choi Eun-hee are provided by the Korea Foundation USA.

DIE BAD

This astonishing directorial debut from Ryu Seung-wan (who also directed ARAHAN, the Freer Gallery's September 9 opener), ingeniously weaves four interconnected vignettes into a gritty, harrowing meditation on the nature of violence. The four stories center on a young man who pursues a life of crime after being released from prison for killing a teenage friend (who literally comes back to haunt him). This film perfectly illustrates Ryu's talent for cerebral yet energetic action filmmaking.

DIR/SCR Ryu Seung-wan; PROD Kim Sunkuk. 2000, 95 min. UNRATED

SAMARITAN GIRL

Loved by some, loathed by others, Kim Ki-duk (director of SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER... AND SPRING, and 3-IRON) is by far Korea's most controversial filmmaker. SAMARITAN GIRL proves why. When a teenage prostitute is killed, her best friend decides to sleep with all her clients, return their money and tell them what happened as an act of penance. But then her cop father gets wind of the plan. Kim manages to turn what seems a depraved plot into a surprisingly moving story about familial love.

DIR/SCR Kim Ki-duk; PROD Bae Jeong-min, Baek Jeong-min. 2004, 95 min. RATED R

R-POINT

An intensely creepy psychological horror film set during the Vietnam War, this film from director Kong Su-chang tells the story of a Korean army platoon sent to an abandoned hotel to find out what happened to a group of fellow soldiers who disappeared in the vicinity. The supernatural goings-on they find are even more disturbing than the war raging around them, and just might keep you awake for weeks.

DIR/SCR Kong Suchang; PROD Choi Kanghyeok. 2004, 107 min. UNRATED

NOTE: In Korean with French subtitles. No English subtitles.
SPIDER FOREST

After narrowly surviving a car accident, television producer Min tells the police that a couple was murdered in the forest near where he crashed. Min must then piece together the shards of his shattered memory to solve the mystery of their deaths and the earlier death of his wife, which he foresaw in a vision. An intricate, visually arresting thriller from Song Il-gon and a complex narrative puzzle that keeps you guessing until the end.

DIR/SCR Song Il-gon; PROD Kim Dae-hyeon. 2004, 118 min. UNRATED